While the holidays may be a little more subdued this year due to COVID-19, they are still worth celebrating. For many, that means decking the halls and the exterior of your property with festive lights. However, as cheerful as these decorations may look, take precautions since the season tends to spark more electrical fires than others. The guide below offers advice from electricians to avoid this risk.

A Guide to Safe Holiday Decorating

1. Upgrade to LEDs

While you might have a sentimental attachment to your old string lights, vintage decorations short circuit easily. They also tend to have broken cords and loose wiring.

Modern LED lights come in all shapes and colors to help them match any aesthetic without being a safety concern. Their bulbs also use less energy, which can help you reduce your holiday utility bills. 

2. Securely Fasten Lights

When fastening lights to your walls or roofline, don’t use anything that could puncture the wiring. This means no screws, nails, or staples. These can damage the cords and lead to electrocution or a spark that could start a fire. Instead, use gentle restraints, including light clips, electrical tape, or hanger hooks.

3. Don’t Overload Outlets

When decorating a tree or the outside of your home, it is typical to string lights together. However, outlets and their associated breakers can only support a certain amount of wattage. While this varies based on light and circuit type, the rule of thumb is to avoid plugging in more than three strands into any one outlet or extension cord.

Pay attention to packaging guidelines, which state how many strands can be connected. If the lights are tripping breakers, redistribute the load until they run reliably. 

4. Don’t Leave Lights on Unattended

Many Christmas decorations, including the tree, are flammable. This means they should never be left unattended near a heat source. Before leaving the building or going to bed, turn off all electrical decorations. Avoid constant plugging and unplugging by adding an outlet timer. Modern electricians can also install smart products in your home that will allow you to control the lights via your phone or tablet. 

If you are interested in upgrading your home electrical panel to support more appliances and decorations, contact the professionals at McAtlin Electrical Corporation in Grand Junction, CO, or McAtlin Electrical Group in Lake Havasu City, AZ. Their skilled electricians are experienced in handling a variety of residential and industrial projects. They can also install automated lighting controls for your convenience. Call them at (970) 257-7414 to reach Colorado today. Dial (928) 855-0389 for Arizona. You can also visit them online to learn more about their extensive services.